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The Gleason clan gathered in Maine last weekend to celebrate together. The event was Jessica’s wedding to Jack and it was a glorious weekend. A “destination wedding” where the destination was a camp nestled into the pine forest on a quiet lake in Maine.

Gary & Ann hosted a Welcome Picnic ” on Friday night followed by a bonfire with toasts and stories. Saturday – a stroll through the charming village of Cornish, a delicious lunch served by the groomsmen and at 4:30 – the big event. Jack and Jessica were married by their friend, Mitch, as family and friends cheered. The lodge was transformed for a gorgeous, sumptuous reception – couple with maine lobster and free flowing champagne.

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Our trip home was a meander thru New Hampshire, Vermont and eastern upstate NY. We came across Hemmings Motor News, The Bennington Battle monument, Robert Frost’s house and Grandma Moses’ farm. Lunch at Slick’s in Schenectady was a lesson in cooperation – all dedicated to the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry.

We saw the beginnings of fall color and even visited Equinox Mountain on the autumn equinox.

There is a great addition here, at home. Oliver Raymond has been lighting up our lives with smiles and snuggles. The Summer visit from our Texas Suoerstars – Nate & Riley, made a wonderful cousin vacation. Other family members and good friends have been enchanted by this little guy as well.

Orlando is famous for it’s magic tho for us that has always meant Family! Ray’s dad moved his family south in 1980 and they’ve been here to welcome us for Spring Breaks and Holidays ever since.

Dan and Linda have the “fun house” – with boating and tubing and pool and…Cousins! We had a great old fashioned Italian family dinner at Ray’s dad’s, the homestead. Kevin brought his family from the Tampa area. Charisma, John and Ben stopped by as well.

Brady & Tracey brought their kids this year for a Disney / Family adventure – we have all been having a wonderful time.

If you’re going to have a dream -it may as well be of paradise. We spent a gorgeous week visiting DiDi and Barry in the tropical clime of Freeport. They gave us “Figment” to stay on and we so enjoyed the resort/marina life. DiDi took us to beautiful beaches, out of the way little restaurants, and to some of the interesting sights on Grand Bahama. We had a serene day sailing on the ocean and another snorkeling among the fishies off Coral Beach. There was a Pirate Gathering, a Mardi Gras celebration, a Junkanoo Parade on the beach, an Oscar Party and fun activities every day.

Greg and Karen have been transforming an overgrown plot of land in South Florida to a serene and beautiful home. This pair of artists embrace the lush landscape and augment it with natural structures and interesting creations of their own. The house and pool were once nothing special but keep evolving as a airy gallery and comfortable outdoor living area. We so look forward to seeing the changes from year to year – always something new.

“Breakfast Tree” Grapefruit every day

Of course the best part is being with them. They took us kayaking thru the mangroves to a gorgeous beach, to see the Elvis for a fun night and then to a fabulous concert with the incredible Tommy Emmanuel. Busy Naples offers all kinds of shopping, activities and events. Every evening our return to “the Grove” gave us a perfect retreat.

Swinging thru Southern Florida we get to visit some great places and very cool people. We were lucky to catch up with the Reeses, their family and spent some fun time with Cathy & Gordon Stevens on their new boat. What a lifestyle! Their catamaran has a spacious cabin and galley, comfortable sleeping berths and beautiful wide decks, upper and lower docked at a quiet marina within walking distance to stores and (very important) Cathy’s tennis club.

Marathon, Florida

Cathy in her “office”

Boot Key Harbor, Marathon

view from Gordon & Cathy’s deck

Osprey Way

This is the rental house in Marathon – getting a facelift

Gordon found a friend

Man!

Cathy’s cat

We also had some fun with Ray’s brother, Doug, and family as we passed thru Miami. Those kids sorta like their Uncle Ray!